By Katzen Orthodontics on
4/23/2012 2:05 PM
Barry M Katzen DDS
Questions regarding the removal of permanent teeth in conjunction with orthodontic treatment have been with us for almost 100 years. Orthodontists have taken various positions on this question as the profession has evolved. In the early years of orthodontics, 1900-1940, there was a heavy emphasis on non-extraction treatment. Braces were being used routinely, but teeth were squeezed into the dental arch, no matter how crowded they were. After treatment, the teeth frequently returned to their crooked position. This fact had caused a lot of frustration to the orthodontist practicing at the time and they began to look for a different approach that would lead to more stable results. By the 1940’s, removal of permanent teeth during orthodontic treatment was becoming quite common after decades of unsatisfactory results with non-extraction treatment. By the 50’s, and throughout the 60’s and 70’s, extraction of permanent teeth during orthodontic treatment was the rule. In the 80’s thing began...